Effect of combined chemotherapy and anti-inflammatory drugs on murine schistosomiasis.

ABSTRACT

Hepatic granulomas resulting from Schistosoma mansoni infection contain high levels of prostaglandins (PG) and leukotrienes. The present experimental study was conducted to show the effect of murine S. mansoni infection on PGE2 level in the liver granuloma homogenate and to explore the possibility of using non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) namely, ibuprofen (CAS 15687-27-1) and naproxen (CAS 22204-53-1), either alone or in combination with praziquantel (CAS 55268-74-1) to induce regression of hepatic morbidity or to ameliorate the biochemical and histopathological consequences and intensity of infection. Infection with S. mansoni increased the level of alanine amino-transaminase (ALT), gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT), PGE2, hepatic collagen deposition, antibody titre and circulating schistosomal antigen. The last parameter was reduced significantly by progression of infection in the 11th and 16th weeks. Treatment with praziquantel was found to reduce the number of worms (97%), with complete absence of immature ova and increase in the number of dead ova. Also it reduced all the elevated parameters except PGE2. NSAIDs were found to reduce significantly the level of PGE2 at 9 weeks but not at 11 and 16 weeks post-infection. ALT and GGT were not significantly decreased compared to their corresponding controls. Treatment with ibuprofen or naproxen either alone or in combination with praziquantel or praziquantel alone reduced significantly the granuloma diameters. Collagen deposition and percentage of fibrotic area were significantly decreased compared to infected control but the antibody titre or circulating antigen levels were not affected. Combined therapy of praziquantel with ibuprofen or naproxen improved most of the parameters estimated and maintained the reducing effect on PGE2 at 11 and 16 weeks post-infection. So it can be concluded that in S. mansoni infection treatment with ibuprofen or naproxen is not preferable without treatment of schistosomiasis by using praziquantel.